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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

In the fall of 2011, I completed my first real pattern, tested with two versions and two suggested layouts. I am so fortunate that a pattern of my own creation was chosen for inclusion in western Canada's magazine Quilters Connection. winter issue. Heather Macauther, publisher is an awesome entrepreneur and loves my work too! I've designed all sorts of patterns that I make for myself, friends and family. If you'd like to join in an upcoming Snow Town Folk quilt along, just email me directly at carli the quilter (at) gmail (dot) com

This pattern was inspired by the many types of head wear I see in the winter months while ice fishing with my husband. Ice fishers are a special kind of fisher in my opinion. They are special because they brave the cold temperatures, lug all kinds of gear miles down a lake, sometimes they have a shelter, but most times they are simply after the experience and the fresh wild fish in the winter months!

Salmon, the main fish of choice, is such an important part of our Northwest BC heritage and culture. Its why salmon and Aboriginal colors are going to play a pivotal part in the creation of the Smithers 2013 Centennial Quilt. See more on Todd's salmon here at this past post Good Earth Quilting: Smithers 2013 Centennial Quilt - Todd's Salmon

The photo below is my hubby, in 2010 winter when he decided that the winter conditions were perfect for ice/snow sculpture. So he got busy as he says! He's a former Winnipeg boy where ice sculpture is a popular backyard, front yard and municipal activity.http://www.manitobaphotos.com/festival.htm

In keeping with his traditional constructed this enormous anatomically correct Sockeye Salmon in ice. Then he painted it with ordinary water color paint and we laughed as people drove by to take photos of his fish.

Rick's 26 ft. long big fish is now starting to fade in the warm spring air.

We fished on Owen Lake, outside of Houston, BC and the lake trout are huge in the north!

I'm the one that for some reason usually catches the biggest fish, I have some bragging rights here, you know!

Now, enough about fish, I decided to make this a quilt because, my design was really about the people who love to ice fish and the differences in their hats and toques simply make it even more whimsical. I unfortunately don't have any photos of this interesting view of ice fishing culture, but it could apply to many different outdoor activities.Let's see:tobaganningsledding'skiingsnow man makingshoveling the drivewayYou get the idea?

This alternate version is as whimsical, as it is modern. When we're ice fishing, the guys stand around their 'hole in the ice' and talk. They laugh, complain, talk up the largest fish story's that have become part of the mystique of fishing in general.I think that many quilters have someone who is an ice fisher, skier or sledder in their life and this works well as a gift for them. It would make an awesome winter wall hanging, bed quilt or even a set of winter deco pillows for the living room.

Whimsey fills my life.

This the kind of whimsey that my friends attach to trees on their property.

I thought you might like to see the foundation of my inspiration.

If you'd like to join me in a fun pillow cover based on the Snow Town Folk quilt, just email me directly at carli the quilter (at) gmail (dot) comAll the best,Carli

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I trimmed to be positive of the size of each block to complete what I hope is the final draft of the layout.

The final draft of the layout is done! Todd's block had to have the machine embroidered salmon attached permanently onto the "water" block. The backside of which you can see, I simply did a machine satin stitch in red thread. This is the back side of a water themed crazy quilting block app. 9 1/4 x 15 3/4 inches.

The salmon from Todd's block, a local talent in Aboriginal art designed the three salmon, two males hovering over the female in water.

As you can see, my draft is measured and I'll use this to proceed with how much fabric is used and when to cut what. Crazy quilting is my love in quilting and so its going to focused to represent the jewels of our valley and the very jewel of a community that Smithers really is will become apparant in this quilt. I tried to 'feel' the community, its different players, movers and shaker's and farm folk to intellectuals, earthy types to bankers. Multicultural in many ways, but a strong European national presence is here. The alpine theme comes from the Swiss influence, Dutch farmers and German bankers live alongside our Aboriginal community, lively in color and culture, this quilt has tried to speak to all of it.

Todd's block represents the vital natural resource in salmon. Salmon is the life blood of many including a food source to our Wet'suwet'en neighbors in Moricetown and area. These machine embroidered salmon are Todd's original design, he's a very talented and humble guy. He and his wife make Moricetown their home, working in their community. Todd is the chef at Moricetown elementary cafeteria. See his leather work in Good Earth Quilting: Smithers 2013 Centennial Quilt Project Part One

His training is providing healthy recipes for youngster's and staff. I'm sure that he'll head up the catering services for other events held in the Moricetown Multiplex in Moricetown, BC.

This female salmon carries with her the ever important eggs, that when the time comes, she will flip her tail, fluffing an area in the bottom of the river where she's lay a profusion of eggs, quickly followed by one of more of the male's spreading of his fertilization fluid over top the eggs and cover them with more gravel. The eggs will live warm and snug over the winter until early spring, when the eggs begin to move and grow into fingerlings.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Last year when I heard of the coming Centennial for Smithers, my largest nearby town in Northern BC, I spoke up and put my thoughts on paper. I was pleased that the Centennial Committee was interested and I began planning the project.

Community interest in our Centennial Events is already high and I eventually had 7 artists step up volunteering a piece of their art to be included in the Smithers 2013 Centennial Quilt Project.

The following are photos of the submitted blocks and the artist or sometimes just the block. Take a look at the beginning of this unique quilt creation of 7 artists collaborating around me who is the main finisher of this quilt. I'm OK with this and have little time to involve anyone else, still work full time and have a life too! So onward goes the quilt, quietly gaining ground in an enormous amount of work. If you ever think that you want to make a centennial quilt, they are numerous sites that exist for any kind of quilt you'd like.

I have a great team of talented artists who submitted their work for this one of a kind Centennial Quilt.

The piece below is designed and made by talented painter, Anne Havard of Smithers, BC. This block represents the form of transportation of people and goods to the Bulkley Valley at the time in 1913 when Smithers was just a boom town in the wilderness. Forestry, farming and mining brought droves of pioneers to the valley.

A quilt's namesake couldn't be forgotten and this block I made using various techniques of Susan Carlsons from her book Serendipity Quilts. I recommend this book if you like making innovative transformation quilts.

"Sir Alfred Waldron Smithers began his association with the Grand Trunk Railway in 1896, when as a director, he made his first trip to Canada. He traveled through the area several times doing railway business. In 1909 he took over as Chairman of the line, retaining his position until the Government of Canada took over the Grand Trunk Railway. His family name, Knockholt, Sir Alfred's family home in Kent, England, now dignifies a small railway stop east of Houston, BC and Lake Kathlyn, just west of Smithers, was named after one of Sir Alfred's daughters and Alfred Ave. in Smithers is named after himself." quote from "Smithers, From Swamp to Village", by R. Lynn Shervill in a project made possible by the 60th Anniversary Project of the Town of Smithers.

Nicole Tessier of Telkwa, another talented quilter offered up this beautiful block representation of Old Church in Smithers, BC.

Todd Tracy Lace of Moricetown, a talented trained chef, is also a talented textile artist, painter and recycler of wood extraordinaire made three fish, one female and two male that represent the ongoing cycle of salmon, food source to the Wetsu'weten people of this area. I had his painted renditions made into a exact copy in machine embroidery, provided free of charge by BV Dry Cleaners in Smithers, BC.

Thanks Terri!

Todd is working with leather here as he's making a ceremonial moose hide groom's attire for an upcoming wedding.

Linda Stringfellow above with her artistic expression of our original Court House, which now houses, many artists, an art gallery and museum all in downtown Smithers, BC.

Martha Wertz's version of the Swiss and European community of Bulkley Valley, "Alpine Al" is the fellow blowing a long horn. Martha stands in front of Bugwood Bean a new funky coffee vendor on Main Street.

Lastly, a good friend, a fellow artisan director on the forming committee around ArtCore54, Perry Rath is a mystical artist in my view. His art makes take a break and dream. Visit his web address for more of his art for sale.

I'll be posting the progress as I get it done and move onto another part of the quilt.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Recently, we took 8 days and traveled south to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and sunny the whole time. This sweet country of rural Canadians is alive with color in season and cultural diversity.

These first two photos are what we left behind.

Sockeye spawning in a creek off Babine Lake. Fall is upon us!

A walk down a country road, the fall colors explode all around me!

Clinton, BC has some lovely historic buildings, perhaps this the first hospital or court building? Sorry, we were on a mission to complete the drive in 14hrs to Abbotsford from Telkwa. I wasn't officially site seeing. But the flavor and feel for the poeple comes through in so much that really describes hard working gentle regular Canadians.

Then across to Victoria, BC

Tasteful way to improve a boring brink wall and add to the color of Victoria, BC.

Fine architectural structures even being a relatively young country, we are established, proud and friendly.

And then our son wanted to take us to his favorite restaurant in Victoria. Pagliacci's is just one such eatery and the fun history on the wall's made it even better!

Of course, I have to always plan ahead and call ahead to be sure they are gluten-free friendly and so nice to hear that several dishes on their menu are or can be made gluten free. What a relief! This is the The Big Easy with spawns, scallops and its hot and served with gluten free noodles. Delicious and makes me want to come back!